Modular classroom unit must meet requirements

Location, fire and storm safety among concerns

Location, fire and storm safety among concerns

February 26, 2008|By Russ Keen, rkeen@aberdeennews.com

Aberdeen school officials are analyzing where to place the two-classroom modular unit it intends to install on the grounds of O.M. Tiffany Elementary School. The determining factor will be what location makes the most sense for tapping into the school's electrical, water and sewer systems, Matt Helde, the district's director of buildings and grounds, told the school board on Monday night. The modular unit also must be tied into the school's fire-protection system and must be secured to withstand strong winds. The unit also must have appropriate access to the school if kids need to be removed from the unit during a storm. At question is whether footings will need to be poured for the modular unit; Helde is investigating. Bid specifications for the unit should be ready this week, Helde said. They will call for two classrooms of 784 square feet each, said Superintendent Gary Harms. That's slightly larger than the average O.M. Tiffany classroom, he said. The school board decided earlier this winter to install the unit because of expected increase in enrollment. Also on Monday, the board approved the following on 6-0 votes with Duane Alm, Linda Burdette, Mike Miller, Brad Olson, Bob Nikolas and Brian Sharp voting yes. Scott Wirth was absent.

Open enrollment applications for three students and denial of an open enrollment application for one student. It was denied because of space limitations and marks the second time this winter the board has denied an open enrollment application. Under state law, open enrollment allows parents to apply for their children to attend school in a district other than the one in which they live.

Paying each Simmons Middle School staff member $16.61 an hour for eight hours of work to move supplies and materials into the school's new wing, which is expected to be completed in late spring.

The resignation of Luther Andal as teacher at the Brown County Juvenile Detention Center, effective at the end of the school year.

Donation of five Lego Mindstorms Robotic Systems, with a total value of $1,200, from the Aberdeen Area Career Planning Center for use by the Challenge Program at Holgate Middle School. The board also:

Heard a report on student and staff activities at Simmons Middle School.